Indian batsmen showed how to bat on this pitch: Wade

Source :

Last Updated: Sun, Feb 24, 2013 14:57 hrs

CHENNAI: After being hammered around the park on Sunday, Australian wicket-keeper Matthew Wade said Indian batsmen showed them how to bat on such a pitch which is deteriorating fast but still has lot of runs in it.

India scored 333 runs on day three of the first Test with skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni scoring a majestic double century and young Virat Kohli a patient century.

"Dhoni played brilliantly and it was unbelievable. Most of the younger players are in the sub-continent for the first time and we can learn a lot from the way the Indian batsmen played today. It is a learning curve," Wade told reporters after day's play.

"If we can take anything about the day today the last part of the innings and the partnership, there are runs in the pitch. I know that for sure. Of course the pitch will deteriorate and we expected it. We came here ten days before the Test and the pitch looked to be getting final finishes and we knew what is there for us," he added.

Wade said their performance on Monday will have bearing on the outcome of the series-opener.

"If there is anything for us in this Test, it is coming tomorrow and getting those two wickets. If we take some quick wickets and bat on as long as we can, is important for us in the whole series. It is about how we back ourselves tomorrow as a team," he said.

Wade said they never though that they will have easy time in India and such a fight was anticipated by them.

"It is tough to play in the subcontinent. We were lucky to get Sachin wicket. MS played beautifully. I know we have some tough days. Hopefully we do not have more tough ones.

"Individually we got to be ready for the remaining two days, especially the bowlers. We are fully soaked on the series and we know it is tough."

Wade said they were not troubled by heat and the rotating the fast bowlers quickly was captain's decision.

"Not at all. We are going to back our quick bowlers and Nathan. They have proven performances for Australia in the past in Test cricket. I think there is enough there for the quicks and for spinners as well. Reverse swing is hard to face in any condition and swing. That is the reason they are selected and hundred per cent we back our bowlers. We can bounce back when we come back in the innings," he asserted.

Wade also downplayed the argument he had with Harbhajan when the Indian spinner was batting.

"No, there was no row. I think he got hit on the pads and he said he was outside the line. There was nothing much and we moved on. There was definitely not a spite or anything like that. It was couple of ways of cricketing matter," he said.